Model Team Model Management
To Whom It May Concern:
I worked for a period of time as a photographer at Model
Team in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. While I wasn't a full-time
employee, I still managed to see and understand enough
about how the company operates to give me nausea whenever
I think of my involvement.
As a photographer, you were usually asked to come in
for several days at a time for their "high fashion
photo shoot," which lasted about seven endless days
in its entirety.
The models (men, women and children all together) would
be scheduled to arrive at various times throughout the
day. Many would literally wait for hours before being
in a single shot.
The problem on my end, however, was the sheer quantity
of people you were expected to photograph. In a single
day they would bring in up to 18 people —multiply
that by the unending varied groupings and setups for
each person (more on that in a minute) —and you
would be virtually shooting the equivalent of 54 people
in a single day!
Their goal in this was to end up with as many possible
arrangements and poses for each person —the more
you shot the more slides they could sell.
Constantly the owners would be whispering in your ear, "Are
you getting close-up, 3/4, full length?"
Additionally, the models would be mixed together for
even MORE combinations —so when you do the math
on trying to squeeze THAT many people with that many
variations in a 10+ hour day, you see that it was nearly
impossible to give any one shot the care and time it
really deserved. It was all about shooting it quickly
and moving on. Time is money, and, in my opinion, Model
Team is all about money.
During all this, the hair and makeup team would do their
best to frantically keep up with the pace while trying
to be creative. They always brought in an extremely talented
group who worked like dogs and made —if they were
lucky —$150 per day (that averages out to $12.50
an hour for the length of time they were expected to
work). The photography fee was also about 2/3 less than
it should have been for that kind of work.
Add now to all of this, the fact that the owners (usually
one, but sometimes both) would be breathing down your
neck the entire time, not ever really letting or trusting
you do what you were hired to do.
They are both ex-models and have a history at Barbizon they
keep silently locked in a closet. Images from their faded
careers, however, are plastered on the agency walls for
all to see.
Add to the mix that the one owner sees himself as an
'art director' and therefore oversees and commandeers
virtually every shot and setup.
Interestingly, his idea of 'art direction' is to show
you a stack of national ads and fashion spreads ripped
from magazines that he'd ask you to copy —sometimes
down to the EXACT pose!
It was probably the most uncomfortable part of the whole
experience, as they acted like you wouldn't be able to
direct a shot yourself without stolen visual aids, or
them telling you how to do it. It's also plagiarism and
incredible insulting. Ads are fine to use for inspiration,
but not to copy exactly as they are.
Furthermore, while your name would never appear on any
of the models cards for photography credit, you could
always count on an "Art Direction" credit prominently
displayed across the back of the card.
Model Team operates on the mechanics of fear and intimidation.
The models were mostly all new, young and typically very
nervous, but were expected to act like seasoned professionals.
All it would take was one comment perceived as "wrong" or
(and this was their favorite) "impolite," and
you were immediately placed on the back burner.
I saw many people with a lot potential treated like
they were crap, simply because they didn't like their
'attitude.'
Many times the one owner would go on maniacal screaming
tirades —at staff, models and parents —which
were frequent and truly frightening.
It's as if they are getting some sort of revenge for
the years of what they had to deal with when they modeled.
Needless to say, everyone's checks were still happily
accepted each and every week.
As for the hired hands, we were told to only use out
first names and never to give out any personal information.
Their fear was that someone might want to try to contact
us out of the watchful Model Team Big Brother Eye.
If they were on the level then what were they afraid
of?
When asked how I should respond if someone asked my
name, I was told to answer, "I go by ——in
the industry," only using my first name!
That sort of general paranoia about everything permeated
the air at all times, and created a very weird and unprofessional
environment.
The portfolios that the models ended up with cost them
a fortune. One model told me at one of the "Model
Team Showcases" that she spent over $1,500 on her
portfolio.
Not only is that ridiculous, but the models are completely
unaware of this cost when the shoot begins!
The photography is set up as if it was 'free' and they
only pay for hair and makeup. Little do they know that
if they want anything of use in the end they'll be paying
through the nose.
It's a sneaky approach to do business that way; the
model is in a pinch having spent all that time and energy
on the classes and the photo shoot to potentially end
up with nothing —unless they cough up more money.
It's especially sad because many enthusiastic and talented
people were sucked into their money mill, only to have
their careers end before they even began.
T.N.
|
